South Korea in Shock as Teacher Fatally Stabs Eight-Year-Old Pupil

[Georgealbert]

Locals laid flowers at the school's gate to mourn the eight-year-old student

 

A female teacher has fatally stabbed an eight-year-old girl at an elementary school in the central city of Daejeon, in a crime that has deeply shocked the nation.

 

The teacher, who is in her 40s, confessed to the attack, according to police. The young student was found with stab wounds on the second floor of the school building at around 18:00 local time on Monday 10 February and was later pronounced dead at hospital. The teacher was discovered beside her with injuries that police believe may have been self-inflicted.

 

South Korea’s acting president, has ordered a full investigation into the case and urged authorities to introduce measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

 

“It pains me to see such an incident because a school should be our safest space,” he said. “I offer my deep condolences to the victim’s family, who have suffered great shock and agony.”

 

The school was closed on Tuesday 11 February, as a mark of respect, with local residents laying flowers and a stuffed doll at the school gate to mourn the loss of the young girl.

 

Authorities confirmed that the teacher had no prior relationship with the victim. However, she had exhibited violent behaviour in the days leading up to the attack, including putting a colleague in a headlock.

 

The teacher had initially requested a six-month leave of absence on 9 December 2024, due to depression but returned to work just 20 days later after being assessed as fit for duty. Since her return, she had not been assigned to any classes and had been kept under close supervision.

Education officials had visited the school on Monday morning, just hours before the stabbing, to investigate the teacher’s previous altercation with a co-worker.

 

Following that attack, the education office had recommended placing her on leave and physically separating her from other staff. She had been instructed to sit beside the vice-principal’s desk to be monitored closely.

 

The eight-year-old girl was first reported missing on Monday evening when a school bus driver alerted the school that she had not arrived for pickup. Shortly afterward, she was discovered on the second floor of the building with fatal injuries.

 

Police have stated that they will continue questioning the teacher once she recovers from surgery.

 

South Korea is considered one of the world’s safest countries, with strict gun control laws and low rates of violent crime. However, recent years have seen several high-profile stabbing incidents, raising concerns among the public.

 

This latest tragedy has prompted renewed calls for stronger mental health assessments for teachers and stricter safety measures in schools. Authorities have pledged to review current policies to prevent a similar incident from occurring again.

 

Based on an article from BBC 11.02.2025.

 

-- 2025-02-12